Lexington resident obtains high ranking in National Guard

Thursday

Aug 1, 2013 at 7:51 PM

Kenneth A. Beard, a Lexington resident and 30-year veteran of the North Carolina National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.

BY SHARON MYERSThe Dispatch

Kenneth A. Beard, a Lexington resident and 30-year veteran of the North Carolina National Guard, was promoted to the rank of brigadier general Thursday at the North Carolina Guard's Joint Force Headquarters in Raleigh. Beard will assume the position of assistant adjutant general for sustainment operations for the N.C. National Guard. He will be the primary adviser to the adjutant general on all programs, strategic planning and operations for the movement and maintenance of military equipment and personnel. In his capacity as adjutant general, Beard will oversee two Guard commands, 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade based in Charlotte and the 113th Sustainment Brigade in Greensboro, as well as 30 armories in the area. He says that there will be a lot of traveling involved with the new position.“I have willingly accepted the role to wear many hats,” Beard said. “I am motivated to see things managed until they are complete. I like to see soldiers trained and performing successfully. As your career progress, you take on bigger responsibilities. The challenge is one that I accept.”Beard attended North Carolina State University where he participated in the Simultaneous Membership Program through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. The Simultaneous Membership Program is a two-year program where cadets serve in the Army National Guard and attend ROTC classes “simultaneously.” He was commissioned as an Army National Guard officer one year before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology in 1984.Beard is also a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College with a master's in strategic studies.Beard is originally from Birmingham, Ala., but grew up Whispering Pines and graduated from Union Pines High School. He met his wife, Lori, while they were both attending N.C. State. After marrying in 1984, the couple moved to Lexington, and Beard began working at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Winston-Salem. He has been employed at RJR for the past 32 years and works in the research and development department of product services. “They have been very good to me,” Beard said. “They have great military support policies in place and have worked with me when I leave for scheduled and unscheduled events.”Beard said that in his career, he has had to pick up at a moment's notice to respond to natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina.“My boss had asked me if I expected to be sent to New Orleans, but I had said I didn't think we would go,” Beard said. “Literally 20 minutes later I got the phone call that I needed to be ready to deploy in 24 hours. I was gone for almost a month, and they carried on without me and welcomed me back when I returned.”Outside of his full-time job, Beard has slowly moved through the ranks to obtain the high ranking of brigadier general.“It is a great accomplishment,” he said. “Very few people reach this pinnacle in their career, and I am quite honored.”Beard has commanded soldiers at every level and was deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2006-2007. At the time, his unit was the 113th Military Brigade, which was a combat unit of the field artillery brigade. After returning from Kuwait, he was stationed in various posts, including Suffolk, Va., at the United States Joint Forces Command. His most recent assignment was officer in charge of personnel for the N.C. National Guard at the state's headquarters in RaleighDuring those rare moments when he is not working at his full-time job or traveling through his job with the National Guard, Beard likes to spend time with his family. He has a son, Kyle, who is married to Whitney. He also has a daughter, Casey, who is married to Robbie. He says he enjoys going whitewater rafting with his children, but mostly he likes spending time with his granddaughter, Kori.“I enjoy playing games, watching movies with her and just being pawpaw,” Beard said. When contemplating his career, Beard is most grateful for having the opportunity to serve the people.“We have a dual role to serve the people of North Carolina and all the people of the United States,” he said. “I have been blessed with the opportunity to do both. I am honored to have been given that chance.”

Sharon Myers can be reached at 249-3981, ext, 228 or at sharon.myers@the-dispatch.com.

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